When I finished editing the image on air, and the cameras went off, everyone in the room let out a big sigh. We all knew it didn’t really work out but we were happy we tried. When I got home from Seattle I decided to start editing it again. I tried twice more and it still wasn’t coming together. That was when I took a slightly different approach.

I started choosing new shots to work with – a higher angle of my subject as well as different house shots from the kiddie pool so that you could see more of the house under the water, thus adding to the believability effect. Those changes made a world of difference for me, fixing some perspective issues as well as changing what was a very static shot.

I have been on a book kick lately, really wanting to experiment with how books (stories, really) can transport you to another reality. Books are old, universally recognized, and provide an amazing symbol for anyone to latch on to. There are many different emotions attached to books, but one thing remains the same. If you read, you take your imagination to a different level. What an amazing metaphor for creating.

I ended up using all of the same techniques to edit this image when I was home as I did during the CreativeLive editing segment for this picture. Some of the featured tools were the Background Eraser Tool, Curves Adjustment Layers, and changing of the Lighting Dynamics. I think something that brought the image together for me in the end was the choice of clouds, and really creating a light source as well as light variation so that some of the image was in darkness and some in light.

Thankfully the light for this image was quite natural, with no extreme highlights or shadows, so changing the light slightly was not a problem. Of course, I can’t say if the image did ever come together or not, but it did satisfy a dream I’ve had. I always know when a picture is finished when I feel it matches what I saw in my imagination…so I want to thank you for watching and for supporting this photo shoot through your encouraging words as well as to CreativeLive for setting this up for me!

http://brookeshaden.com/workshops/

From waterfalls to caves and underwater photography in the ocean, we will create adventures together that go beyond a workshop setting. For 4 nights we will live together, create, inspire, challenge, and share ourselves while a new family is born. Retreats are meant to feed the creative spark as well as the creative’s soul. I know that’s how I feel…renewed and passionate, and that is why I love hosting artist retreats so much.

The price is all-inclusive outside of transportation to the island of Maui, meaning that your living accommodations, food, transportation while at the retreat, and location/model fees are included. You show up, we take care of the rest. The “we” I reference are myself (I’ll be leading the event), along with two assistants and a resident model who is there for your inspirational whims.

You need nothing but your favorite camera, a laptop, and a tripod if it isn’t too difficult to fit in your luggage! Read the information packet on my website to get more details, pictures, and a thorough schedule…or to book a space!

October 2-6, 2014
$1,950 per person

My theme song for this retreat!